Systems and methods for populating a design model for engineering, design, and construction projects are described. The design model contains a 3D representation of an assembled structure. Each structural component within the assembled structure has a set of physical attributes that are electronically stored as design model objects. Additional information about each structural component is electronically supplied by a detailer as detailing model objects. The detailing model objects are imported into the design model using a utility tool. The utility tool comprises a processor and executable code that is configured to: (i) correlate the design and detailing model objects; and (ii) recommend to a user which detailing objects should be imported into the design model. The utility tool correlates physical attributes (e.g., location, section size, section type) rather than unique identification numbers, thus allowing the design model to be populated without relying on identification numbers.